Auroral Currents

Explore the fascinating science of auroral currents in this 28-minute lecture presented by Dr. Ramón López. Delve into the physics of auroral phenomena, starting with an overview of magnetic fields and their relationship to electric currents. Discover how the Sun's magnetic field interacts with Earth's magnetosphere to create the breathtaking auroral displays. Examine the historical context of auroral research, from early compass navigation to modern space missions like NASA's THEMIS. Learn about field-aligned currents, their role in producing auroras, and how similar phenomena occur on other planets. Investigate the potential impacts of severe geomagnetic storms on Earth's technology and infrastructure. Gain insights into the ongoing scientific efforts to understand the energy flow powering auroras and auroral currents.

Physics in an Astronomy Context: Auroral Current
Magnetic field overview
Magnetic field of a line current
Which way is the current flowin A line current is flowing directly above you. You measure the magnetic field coming out of the page. What way is the current flowing? Direction A or direction B?
Which way is the field pointing
The story of the aurora begins wi the Sun and the Sun's magnetic field
The Magnetosphere
Field Aligned currents light up the sky. We call it the Aurora.
The aurora as seen by the Spa Shuttle (300 km altitude)
Other planets have aurora to
The scientific age started with De Magnete
Worldwide navigation by compass led the discovery of magnetic storms PHILOSOPHICAZ • George Graham, a London TRANSACTIONS
Birkeland did pioneering wor
Birkeland concluded that electric current from space and closed through the ionosp
Scientists argued about Birkeland's ideas
Impact of the August 1859 sto
How bad could it be?
NASA's THEMIS mission has made gre: progress in understanding the energy fic that power the aurora and auroral currents